Mashatile calls for partnerships to combat the spread of HIV

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says this year’s World AIDS Day commemoration is aimed at enhancing strategies needed to improve the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

He was delivering the World AIDS Day message at Ga-Masemola Stadium in the Sekhukhune district, Limpopo.

Mashatile highlighted the importance of long-term investment in HIV campaigns amid funding cuts.

He has called various stakeholders to work together to combat the spread of HIV.

Mashatile says, “We cannot repeat the mistakes of the early ARV era, where lifesaving tools reached our shores too slowly. This time, we move with urgency, with foresight and with unity. Lenacapavir is not just a drug; it is a symbol of what becomes possible when science, political will, amid community demand meet.”

FUNDING SHORTFALL

A representative of UN-AIDS, Eva Kiwango, says the abrupt reduction in funds for HIV Aids campaigns this year has deepened the existing funding shortfall in the country.

She says the shortfall has affected efforts towards HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

The National Health Department has requested more money from the National Treasury to close the gap.

Kiwango says South Africa has remained resilient in its efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS in communities.

She says, “South Africa stands at the centre of all these realities. Yes, it has the highest burden of HIV, yet South Africa continues in also leading with courage and innovation. During this tumultuous year, South Africa has refused to let distractions halt progress.”

VIDEO | Mashatile leads AIDS commemoration:

EASTERN CAPE

World AIDS Day Commemorations are underway in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, where communities have gathered to raise awareness, honour those affected and strengthen the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The Provincial Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa has called for increased prevention, testing, and treatment efforts.

Capa says, “It’s very important because, as you know that our theme is saying the communities must take the lead. We want to encourage the communities to take the lead. That is why you are here today, but we are saying when we are here, it’s not all about the event, but we must make sure that we provide our services to our communities. That is why you see all the sector departments that are here, that it does have a meaningful impact on our commuters. It is a very important day for the people of this Province.”

VIDEO | EC Health encourages HIV patients to take their medication:

WESTERN CAPE

Health officials in the Western Cape are on a drive to re-engage thousands of people who have stopped HIV or TB treatment.

The Provincial Department of Health and Wellness says more than 100 000 people who tested positive for HIV have not accessed treatment in the last two years.

As part of commemorations for World AIDS day, the Department hosted an event at Malmesbury.

The Province’s Health and Wellness Minister, Mireille Wenger, says health officials are working hard to close the gap through targeted and practical interventions that make care easier and more accessible.

Wenger says, “It’s about knowing your HIV status and if you are positive, to stay on treatment. If you are virally suppressed, you can prevent transmission, and so that’s the call to action today. It’s for those who know they are HIV positive to come back to care.”

“ We are saying we are ready to receive you to provide care without judgment and to be there with you in that journey all along the way so that you can stay on treatment and that we are ready to receive you without judgment and to be with them in that journey,” She adds.

MPUMALANGA

The Mpumalanga Health Department says the province is making steady progress in reaching  HIV and AIDS treatment targets.

Health MEC Sasekani Manzini mentioned the latest figures at the Rob Ferreria Hospital in Mbombela, where she joined healthcare workers to commemorate World Aids Day on Monday.

Manzini says the province is performing well in increasing the number of people who know their HIV status, those who are on treatment and those who are virally suppressed.

The Aurum Institute in Mbombela, which focuses on HIV prevention and treatment support, is encouraging more men to visit their clinics.

The call is part of the ongoing World Aids Day community outreach campaign.

The institute’s Bonga Mbatha says that men delay seeking medical help, which puts them at higher risk of late HIV diagnosis, advanced TB and other preventable illnesses that can be managed early.

Mbatha says, ”So one thing that we have seen as the pop in clinic is that men have a struggle of accessing health care workers, so our pop in clinic gives that interpersonal services, so we go to the doorsteps of men because they are struggling to go to facilities, so we are bridging that gap.”

-Additional reporting by Corbin August.